Canaseraga Superintendent Chad Groff said that the joint schools Athletic Council, he and Arkport Superintendent Jesse Harper almost certainly will recommend to the school boards positive votes for sports merger again in January, no matter the eventual outcome of the proposed merger of the two school districts.

The athletic merger “has accomplished exactly what it was supposed to do: open numerous opportunities for students at each school to participate in sports,” Groff said.

Each board voted unanimously last June to merge athletic programs because of difficulties fielding complete teams in varsity, junior varsity and modified sports. Since then, both schools have reported satisfying increases in students who sought participation on sports teams.

The two schools have appointed coaches and developed transportation schedules so the dozens of student athletes can be bused to practices at each campus plus away games.

Both boards have also hired educational consultants Castallo and Silky to conduct a study of the potential compatibility of the schools. New York State Education Department regulations require that experienced outside educational consultants must report on the likely potential for success of any merger because of the millions of dollars New York state offers prospective merged school districts.

Both districts narrowly voted against merger twice in the 1990s.

In addition, the two districts and Alfred-Almond Central defeated a proposal to merge three years ago. Within a few months of that defeat, community members in Arkport and Canaseraga approached school board members about interest in reopening the issue.

Members from each school board have been discussing union for much of 2017.

The lengthy time necessary for the study and several community votes on merger of the two districts means the earliest the schools can merge is July 1, 2019.

Groff told board members that if the boards in January approve the joint athletic program students will start discussing uniform colors.

The next meeting to discuss merger of the schools will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the Arkport Performing Arts Center of the Arkport building. A tour of the Arkport building will begin at 5:15 p.m. from the performing arts center foyer.

The final schools merger committee meeting will take place on Monday, April 16, at 6 p.m. in the Canaseraga Central cafeteria. A Canaseraga Central building tour will start at 5:15 p.m. The April meeting will include a summary of merger study information.

In another issue, Canaseraga Central Principal Shannon Gilbert said 90 students from grades seven through 12 attended a Hornell High School presentation from Kevin Hines about mental health.

Hines, who said he suffers from bipolar disorder, attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge and, instead of ending his life, became one of a handful of people the leap without being paralyzed.

Hines’ story was so forceful that several Canaseraga students wanted to listen a second time but were unable because hundreds of students from six area schools filled every available seat.

Hornell City Schools Superintendent Jeremy Palotti said “Unfortunately, we have students who are in pain, but it isn’t always obvious. We hoped that hearing (the Hines) message might encourage students to reach out for help if they need it.”

Hines told the students that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can text CNQR to 741741 for assistance and a trained crisis counselor will call within minutes. Those more comfortable with a phone call can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

In another issue, Groff said he will propose at the Canaseraga Central board meeting in January the use of Educational Data Services to purchase classroom supplies. Groff said 175 school districts across New York state use the service, including Bath and Hornell City school districts, potentially savings thousands of dollars.

The Educational Data Services web site discusses the “turnkey Cooperative Procurement Management Program” that more than 450 schools use nationwide.

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